In 2018, the International Center for Journalists will continue to expand its network of digital journalists, technologists and media entrepreneurs from Latin America as part of the “Digital Path to Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Latin America” program.

For this revamped version of the program, ICFJ will bring 36 more Professional Fellows from 12 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru. ICFJ will also send 12 more U.S. hosts to Latin America for two-week study tours as part of the exchange.

Selected fellows will participate in a six-week U.S. program anchored by four full weeks of professional attachments at the host institutions. Participants will be matched with U.S. hosts across the country at digital communications firms, startup incubators and cutting-edge digital newsrooms based on their backgrounds and skills. Before embedding with a host organization, the program begins with an orientation in Washington, D.C., at ICFJ’s headquarters where fellows will visit digital media organizations, receive hands-on training on digital tools and techniques, and will workshop their digital media project proposals with media entrepreneurs. During the final week of the program in the United States, fellows will participate in the Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C. The Congress will connect the participants with other Professional Fellows from around the globe while helping them continue to hone their leadership and entrepreneurial skill sets.